An unusual boutique hotel in the Marrakech medina, fashioned from a historic foundouk (trading house), with 11 individually-themed rooms, a huge, heated pool, two hammams and an Italian-Moroccan restaurant.
Situated on antiques alley near the king’s palace, Dar el Bacha. The souks are a few steps away and the Djemaa el-Fna is a 10-minute walk south. Taxis can be hailed at Dar el Bacha.
Entering through the small, front-of-house Italian café you have little idea of the architectural surprise that will greet you as you step into the first palm-filled patio of Palais Khum. From here, across some bistro tables and chairs, you’ll spy the shimmering pool in the open-sided glasshouse and beyond another shady patio lined with loungers. Other patios, lounges, a library and a restaurant unfold as you press on into the labyrinthine complex, which once served as an urban hostelry for merchants and traders bringing goods to market from the mountains and deserts that surround the city. The renovation has been highly successful, resulting in a sympathetic, contemporary Moroccan boutique hotel.
This place is very well equipped for a old city hotel. The heated indoor/outdoor pool is a unique feature. In addition, there are two glitzy hammams dressed in dark-veined marble and shimmering mosaic tiles, various massage rooms, a library, an art gallery, a restaurant and a popular café that picks up foot traffic from the street. There’s a 24-hour concierge and a tour desk, and service is friendly and personable although not all the staff speak good English.
There are 11 individually themed rooms, all of them offering a large amoung of living space. The décor cherry picks from world cultures, for example the Mandarin room is furnished with Oriental prints, blue-and-white Chinese ceramics and a lacquered screen, while the Cocteau suite comes with a half canopied bed and a large Cocteau print. On the whole though the mix is tastefully done and the strong earthy palette of reds and ochres holds everything together. Alongside the spacious contemporary marble bathrooms (some with circular tubs), all rooms have a dressing area and a seating area.
For such a stunning renovation the restaurant menu at Palais Khum is rather pedestrian, including a variety of different tagines, couscous and turkey brochettes. There’s also the option of an Italian menu which is competently executed. Breakfast, served on the expansive terrace, is a standard selection of Moroccan pancakes, yoghurt and eggs to order. Less formal than the main restaurant, is Kremm Café where you can nibble on pastries and subtle dishes such as omelettes, crepes and grilled chicken. Better than the food is the Italian coffee and the mixed fruit smoothies.
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Cots are supplied free of charge and the three suites can accommodate extra beds (272 Moroccan Dirhams/£22 per night for children under 12).
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